String Instruments

"The love of music is forever present and at the core of all good labor." - Terry King

The Hartt string department believes that every music student should be trained for a variety of professional musical roles.

Through faculty guidance and a stringent curriculum of artistic training, students acquire the necessary skills to achieve and excel in the today’s performing arts environments.

﻿PRIVATE LESSONS

The foundation for a future career in music begins with one-on-one, student-to-teacher relationships. Placing great importance on teaching students how to practice more efficiently and intelligently, how to solve problems, how to be creative, and how to be of help to others, paves the way for superior artistic development.All aspects of classical and contemporary styles and techniques are learned through the use of scales, exercises, etudes, and solos. Students will acquire a well-balanced repertoire of baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary concerti, sonatas, and other solo pieces.

﻿STUDIO CLASS

An extension of private instruction, weekly studio classes provide a supportive environment for students to play for their colleagues and learn how to improve projection of musical ideas, focus in performance, stage deportment and how to speak to an audience. In addition, they have the opportunity to develop teaching skills by offering constructive impressions and suggestions on their colleagues' studio class performances.

﻿ENSEMBLE PLAYING

Music is social experience. While music requires much isolated training, acquired skills must be practically applied in the social context, and often, hence the performer’s requirement of both large and small ensemble playing. Apart from orchestra, band, and chamber music experiences, some studios offer same-instrument ensemble playing opportunities. Skills emphasized in these courses include balance, blend, intonation, musical responsiveness, intelligent imitation, rehearsal technique, and the development of sound, interpersonal interaction through music.

﻿GROUP WARM-UPS AND TECHNICAL TRAINING

Some studio teachers offer players the opportunity to participate in weekly group warm-up sessions and/or instrument-specific techniques classes where they can learn standard (or cutting edge) warm-up and/or strength routines from their studio professor as well as from each other. Exercises will focus on tone production, left hand, shifting, vibrato, string crossing, bow strokes, fingerboard geography, etc.

﻿String ORCHESTRAL REPERTOIRE CLASS

For most performance majors, the weekly meeting of an orchestral repertoire class concentrates on major orchestral works specifically relevant to players of those instruments. Major excerpts from the symphonic literature are studied and students are expected to master all technical (bowings, fingerings, intonation, etc.) and stylistic requirements. This course helps prepare students for careers as professional orchestral musicians.

MASTER CLASSES

Prominent performers and teachers are invited by Hartt faculty to come give guest master classes. All students are expected to attend and perform at some point during their time at Hartt. At these events, valuable insight is given on technique, music, and other schools of performing and thought.

String STUDY AT THE HARTT SCHOOL

From the beginning, students are given individual, personalized guidance with the goal of creating the next generation of exciting and meaningful arts innovators. The positive and encouraging atmosphere at the Hartt School is an ideal learning environment for aspiring young musicians. We have world-class faculty with experience in all of the above and more. Please visit the rest of our website for further information.